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Split, Croatia

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Split is the second-largest city in Croatia.

Split (20267750044)
Split (20267750044)

It serves as the principal urban center for the Dalmatia region. The city sits on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.

Split Marina (164674965)
Split Marina (164674965)

It is also the largest city located on the Croatian coast. Split acts as a vital economic and cultural hub. It is a major center for transportation in the area. The city's population is over 160,000 people. The larger metropolitan area includes about 310,000 inhabitants.

The Old Town of Split from Above (2017)
The Old Town of Split from Above (2017)

The city's urban structure is unique and very old. It developed around the historic core of Diocletian's Palace.

Diocletian's Palace (original appearance)
Diocletian's Palace (original appearance)

The city extends from this center across a peninsula. It reaches toward the surrounding suburbs and the hinterland. This continuous urban tradition has lasted for over seventeen centuries. The historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This status was granted in 1979.

The history of the site began long before the palace. It was founded as a Greek colony named Aspálathos.

Split BW 2024-10-02 12-32-06
Split BW 2024-10-02 12-32-06

This colony likely formed in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE. It was a colony of the polis of Issa. The Greeks traded with local Illyrian tribes called the Delmatae. The name Aspálathos may come from the spiny broom plant. This plant is known as Calicotome spinosa in Greek. Later, the Romans called the site Spalatum.

Split (20267750044)
Split (20267750044)

Roman influence changed the landscape of the region significantly. The Emperor Diocletian began building his palace in 293 CE.

Diocletian's Palace (original appearance)
Diocletian's Palace (original appearance)

He built it as a massive, fortified structure. It was similar to a Roman military fortress. The palace and the surrounding city held 8,000 to 10,000 people. Nearby, the city of Salona was a massive Roman capital. Salona had a population of about 60,000 people. After Salona was destroyed in 639 CE, people moved to the palace.

The Old Town of Split from Above (2017)
The Old Town of Split from Above (2017)

Split has been ruled by many different powers over the centuries. It was once a Byzantine city and a Venetian outpost.

Split Croatia 19th century
Split Croatia 19th century

The Republic of Venice held control for a long period. During the early modern period, Split was a heavily fortified city. It was surrounded by Ottoman territory. In 1797, the city passed to the Habsburg monarchy. Later, it was part of the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy. It then became part of the French Empire in 1806.

SPLIT-Overall view 1910
SPLIT-Overall view 1910

The 19th and 20th centuries brought more political changes. Following the Congress of Vienna, Split became part of the Austrian Empire. It remained part of the Austrian Kingdom of Dalmatia until 1918. After that, it became part of Yugoslavia. During World War II, Italy annexed the city. It was later liberated by the Partisans in 1943. Germany then occupied the city briefly. The Partisans liberated it again in 1944.

Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F016229-0008, Italienisches Kriegsschiff im Hafen von Split
Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F016229-0008, Italienisches Kriegsschiff im Hafen von Split

Croatia eventually seceded from Yugoslavia in 1991.

Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-049-1553-13, Jugoslawien, Split, Mauer mit Aufschrift
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-049-1553-13, Jugoslawien, Split, Mauer mit Aufschrift

Today, Split is a major international destination. It attracts more than one million visitors every year.

Riva promenade in Split, Croatia (48693340418)
Riva promenade in Split, Croatia (48693340418)

The Port of Split is a very busy passenger port. It is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean. The port serves as a gateway to the southern Adriatic islands.

Split Marina (164674965)
Split Marina (164674965)

The city is also a center for education and research. The University of Split is located here.

Split University Library-wide
Split University Library-wide

Many people enjoy the Riva, which is the local name for the promenade.

Split@night
Split@night
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🖼️ Images & Media (29)
Marjane, Marjane.mid
File:Diocletian's Palace (original appearance).jpg
Diocletian's Palace (original appearance).jpg
File:Kip Grgura Ninskog, Split.jpg
Kip Grgura Ninskog, Split.jpg
File:Split (20267750044).jpg
Split (20267750044).jpg
File:Split Croatia 19th century.jpg
Split Croatia 19th century.jpg
File:SPLIT-Overall view 1910.jpg
SPLIT-Overall view 1910.jpg
File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F016229-0008, Italienisches Kriegsschiff im Hafen von Split.jpg
Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F016229-0008,...
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-049-1553-13, Jugoslawien, Split, Mauer mit Aufschrift.jpg
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-049-1553-13,...
File:Coat of arms of Split (SRC).svg
Coat of arms of Split (SRC).svg
File:The Old Town of Split from Above (2017).jpg
The Old Town of Split from Above (2017).jpg
File:Valerio - Paysan Morlaques des environs de Spalato, 1864.jpg
Valerio - Paysan Morlaques des environs...
File:Brodosplit - juice carrier.JPG
Brodosplit - juice carrier.JPG

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